The main gorge is the deep Bab al-Kabir (Big Door), cut by the Ouadi Chebba, through which the railway line between Algiers and Constantine passes.

The Bab al-Saghir (Little Door) of the Oadi Buktun is located 3.5 km to the east.

[3] Some authors claim that the range was known as El Ouennougha before the French colonization of Algeria.

In present days the Kabyle populations are found in the centre and the eastern part of the range, while the western end is home to Arabophone communities.

[5] The 200,000 ha Saharan Atlas National Park is a protected area located near Hammam Dhalaa on the southeastern side of the range, 15 km north of M'Sila.